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Mercedes-Benz has announced it’s got a new operating system, MB.OS, that will start appearing on new vehicles underpinned by the company’s new MMA platform.Owners will see safety features such as road-scanning lidar thanks to the new operating system, and games like Angry Birds and social media such as TikTok will be available on the cabin-dominating screens.A long-term partnership with Google is said to add the latest data and navigation features such as Place Details.The old tech mantra of “move fast and break things” has been as present as a meme while we’ve lived through an era of rapid innovation in almost every aspect of our lives. There’s one place it doesn’t quite work: when it comes to safety and trust. In the automotive space, sometimes slow and steady is the right move, and as one of the oldest car companies, Mercedes-Benz has had plenty of time to evolve and develop.Today in Sunnyvale, California, Mercedes-Benz gave us a glimpse of its future, plotting its course through the next round of innovation. This naturally includes features for electric vehicles and automated driving, but also entertainment, productivity, and well-being. And it includes some wildly lit screens.Mercedes Moves ForwardMore to Do and See on Screen(s)Up first is the introduction of MB.OS, Mercedes’s new operating system that promises advancement in infotainment, safety, and the next generation of automated driving. It will debut in a few years on the first vehicle to use the new electric Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. NVIDIA will supply the software, data, and AI expertise, as well as chips that can process 254 trillion operations per second for automated driving.Other partnerships for other features include road-scanning lidar from Luminar, while Google will contribute to in-car data and more accurate mapping and navigation. Mercedes will also open its system to other partners to integrate entertainment options. These include TikTok, Zoom, a Vivaldi web browser, and even Angry Birds. Of course MB.OS will have over-the-air update capabilities to keep your system current and also to activate future features.Assisted Driving AdvancesThere’s also plenty of hardware to support all of this software, and going forward, all Mercedes-Benz vehicles will come with the equipment needed for Level 2 automated driving. That’s similar to what we have today, with a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering to relieve a hands-on driver from some of the driving burdens. Customers will be able to order their higher-end Mercedes with Level 3 automation called Drive Pilot.Drive Pilot will be available on the 2024 EQS and S-class sedans and could be the first level 3 system offered in the U.S. It will operate on highways at speeds up to 40 mph, at least initially. The goal is to extend that to 80 mph. Unlike systems from GM and Ford, Drive Pilot will allow the driver to look away from the road, but they’ll still have to be prepared to take over driving duties at a moment’s notice. More significantly, Mercedes will assume liability for the vehicle when in Drive Pilot mode, which is a testament to their confidence in the system.Innovation is nothing new to Mercedes-Benz, and these latest advancements are proof that they’re pushing toward the vision of the future that’s been the stuff of fiction a decade or two ago. (Whether this is the kind of fiction you would like to come true is up to you, of course.)This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Contributing EditorWith a background in design and open-wheel racing, Mark Takahashi got his foot in the door as an art director on car and motorcycle magazines. He parlayed that into a career as an automotive journalist and has reviewed thousands of vehicles over the past few decades. More

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior of the upcoming 2024 E-class sedan.It features a gigantic Hyperscreen and many new technology options.The 2024 E-class will go on sale in the U.S. later this year.In advance of the unveiling of the new sixth-generation 2024 E-class, Mercedes-Benz gave us a preview of what to expect—at least from the interior. The cockpit appears to be an evolution of the striking Hyperscreen found in the EQS sedan, with the digital instrument panel protruding above. It’s accentuated by colored ambient lighting strips that encircle the dash and doors to reinforce the futuristic styling.Lurking underneath all of it is an abundance of new technology intended to enhance comfort, entertainment, and productivity. The new E-class uses the latest third-generation MBUX infotainment system, which could be thought of as a precursor to the MB.OS architecture that is due in a few years. As is the case with the EQS, the E-class dash can be optioned with an additional display for the front passenger. This allows the passenger to enjoy streaming content and games without distracting the driver. Cameras track the driver’s eye movements and if they drift over to the passenger screen, the content is obscured. Mercedes calls it image filtering.More on Mercedes’ FutureMercedes-BenzEntertainment and AudioWhen parked, the driver can make use of the many entertainment options. These include games such as Angry Birds, social media on TikTok, and a Vivaldi web browser. If you’re more about productivity, you can use Zoom to join meetings and there’s a built-in video and selfie camera atop the dash. Data transfer will also be helped by 5G connectivity.On the audio front, if you opt for the top Burmester premium audio, the interior ambient lighting can put on a light show for you. You’ll get either pulsing illumination that matches with the beat or smoother color transitions for more low-key music. We think it’s a fun novelty, but it may get tiring at night.Car and DriverSit Back and RelaxIn regards to relaxation, the existing Energizing Comfort system gets a clever addition. The system combines seat-massage functions with climate control, interior fragrances, music, and on-screen graphics to set specific moods. A new feature will pair the system with wearable monitors to detect stress levels and can activate relaxation and breath coaching to get you back to a more blissful state.Another new feature is something Mercedes calls routines. Users can select from several templates that can automatically activate seat heaters at a certain temperature along with the interior lighting. There’s even a Date Night routine that will set the mood with rose-colored lighting and your favorite slow jams. You also have the ability to create your own routines. In the future, Mercedes plans to include AI-generated routines based on your particular habits.Mercedes-BenzCombined with the long list of tech features that already exist, these new features increase the wow factor, but don’t represent the kind of transformation we expect from the forthcoming MB.OS system. It should nonetheless delight owners and passengers with its newest comfort and entertainment options.Mercedes says that the 2024 E-class will go on sale in the U.S. later this year, so we expect to see more of the new sedan revealed within the next few months.Our illustration of what the 2024 E-class could look like.Illustration by Christian Schulte|Car and DriverContributing EditorWith a background in design and open-wheel racing, Mark Takahashi got his foot in the door as an art director on car and motorcycle magazines. He parlayed that into a career as an automotive journalist and has reviewed thousands of vehicles over the past few decades. More

Car and Driver’s annual Editors’ Choice awards honor the top vehicles in their respective segments, as decided by our expert car evaluators and informed by our rigorous and industry-leading testing regimen.Of more than 400 models on sale in the U.S. market this year, only 125 cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans are featured on this year’s Editors’ Choice list, which is intended to help narrow the shopping list for consumers to the best choices in each market segment. Our testing includes real-world analysis of fuel economy, instrumented testing of each vehicle’s on-road performance, and subjective evaluation by our expert staff of car-enthusiast editors.With average transaction prices for new cars skyrocketing and a large number of body styles and powertrains offered throughout the industry, buying a new vehicle has never been more overwhelming. Car and Driver’s 2023 Editors’ Choice list is here to cut through the static to help you find the perfect car, truck, SUV, or van.See the ListMichael Aaron|Car and DriverOf the more than 400 models available for sale today, we’ve narrowed the list down to just 125 honorees, all of which we consider to be among the top vehicles in their respective market segments. We believe there’s something here for every driver and every budget, from subcompact runabouts starting under $20,000 to a high-end hybrid sports car that’s 10 times that price. Not to mention all the trucks, SUVs, luxury sedans, and electric vehicles that fill the gap between them.”For the millions of people shopping for a new vehicle each year, the choices can seem endless– and confusing,” said Car and Driver Editor-in-Chief Tony Quiroga. “Our Editors’ Choice lineup is the automotive honor roll and the ideal resource, whether someone is searching for the safest car for a new teen driver or for a weekend race car, and everything in between.”Michael Aaron|Car and Driver In addition to Car and Driver’s renowned instrumented performance testing, our editors have devised a series of tests to determine which vehicles are the most worthy of your hard-earned dollars. For example, we run a 75-mph highway fuel-economy test to provide a real-life look at efficiency, and we load up every vehicle we test with carry-on suitcases to measure practical, usable space.Winners from Years PastIf you’re shopping for a new vehicle this year, our Editors’ Choice list is meant to be your starting point. In short, we’ve done the hard work for you, and the rest is up to you. As you progress in your new-vehicle search, we recommend individual test drives of your own, since everyone’s preferences and needs are different. We’re confident that any of the models honored this year will offer satisfying driving dynamics, segment-appropriate practicality, and excellent value. Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

UPDATE 2/22/23, 7:00 p.m.: In response to our request, the legislation’s sponsor, Florida State Senator Lauren Book, issued a statement accompanied by this photo of her own dogs:Sen. Lauren Book’s family pets.Courtesy of Florida State Sen. Lauren Book”Our family has three dogs—two of which are almost 175 pounds each and love sticking their heads out the window—so I welcome and appreciate all public comment on this issue, which is only one piece of a complete proposed overhaul of the state’s animal welfare system as brought to me by veterinarians and advocates. We can easily amend this piece out of the bill while protecting the intent of the animal welfare community and vets who proposed the policy because of unintended injuries they’ve treated—and we will. In the meantime, let’s all invest in a good pair of ‘doggles’ to keep our furry friends safe.”Lately, Florida’s been full of ideas for bannin’ stuff, and the list might soon expand from books and driving in the left lane to unrestrained dogs in cars. Florida state senator Lauren Book is sponsoring a bill, SB 932, which concerns animal welfare and covers a lot of ground. It includes language restricting animal testing for cosmetic products, prohibiting the declawing of cats, and creating a public registry of animal-abuse offenders. All of which sounds hard to argue with, no matter how many times a cat has shredded your draperies. But there’s also a provision that will likely rankle dog owners, not to mention dogs. Specifically, the part of the bill that concerns “prohibiting a person from taking specified actions relating to the transportation of dogs on public roadways.” What, do they want to outlaw your dog sticking his head out the window? Well, yes, actually. Let’s take a look.No Dogs on Laps, No Dogs on MotorcyclesThe first part of the dog-transport section (and there are several) says that you can’t have a dog on your lap while you’re driving. That, we agree with. Mostly because the people who drive with dogs on their laps don’t really have dogs, per se—they have cats who like to go for rides. Because if a dog is on your lap while you’re driving, chances are it weighs less than 10 pounds, is wearing a designer hat, and would lose a fight to a moderately combative chipmunk. And if that’s not the kind of dog on your lap—as in, a large, slobbery, rambunctious creature that’s capable of barreling through a closed screen door—then that dog should not be between you and the controls of your motor vehicle. Fair enough. Dogs in cargo area, and unrestrained, and heads out the window: would also be illegal.Ezra Dyer|Car and DriverPart B says basically the same thing, but applied to motorcycles—you can’t let your dog ride in front of you on a motorcycle, even if he wears goggles and puts his paws on the handlebars like he’s driving and everyone loves it. Dog in a backpack on a motorcycle? Evidently OK. And as for a cool dog in a motorcycle sidecar, why, we’re pretty sure that’s the Florida state flag.We asked our dogs about this, and they said that if you criminalize dogs sticking their heads out the window, then only criminal dogs will stick their heads out the window.Now for the third rule of dog transport: You cannot “allow a dog to extend its head or any other body part outside a motor vehicle window while the person is operating the motor vehicle on a public roadway.” Yes, it would be illegal for your dog to stick its head out the window. We asked our dogs about this, and they said that if you criminalize dogs sticking their heads out the window, then only criminal dogs will stick their heads out the window. We pointed out that the penalty would actually only be a non-criminal moving violation (our dogs clearly hadn’t read the full text of the bill).Ezra Dyer|Car and DriverThe anti-head-out-the-window rule is almost a moot point given SB 932’s subsequent rules around dog restraints in cars. It says that dogs in motor vehicles must be either in a crate, or restrained with a harness or pet seatbelt, or physically restrained by somebody who isn’t the driver. And any dog in the bed of a pickup would have to be in a crate, period—and the crate itself secured to the truck. (Human Floridians would still be allowed to ride uncrated in the bed of a pickup.) There’s also some wording about not driving around with your dog on the roof or standing on the hood of your car, no matter how rad your dog is.Dog SittingWe’re guessing that there was some kind of incident that spurred these proposed rules around restraining dogs, and we contacted Senator Book’s office to ask if that’s the case. If we find out more, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, who wants to go for a ride?This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEzra Dyer is a Car and Driver senior editor and columnist. He’s now based in North Carolina but still remembers how to turn right. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and once drove 206 mph. Those facts are mutually exclusive. More